Amazingly beautiful antique Japanese obi. This is a very high quality Nishijin obi. The condition is new with basting stitches. Very fine gold threads are woven into the base silk adding a subtle but shinny look to this obi (tan color comes from this). Crystal clear sky to turquoise blue, beautiful earth tone shades of purple to pink and moss green, you must see to believe this beauty. The high quality gold was woven extensively throughout (not only in the design area) and it shines by picking up a little light. The same design repeats on both sides of the obi and throughout. Also, there was no shortcuts taken here. What I mean is that it was woven in the same manner throughout. This may sound strange to you, but there are enough obis that are not (for example the gold skipping many areas). This is a great piece for the formal dining room table. As for the age; we are not sure exactly when this obi was woven (it may or may not be after 1920). The measurements are 12-1/2" wide and 153" long.

We have been planning to list obi (and some kimono) next year (2008) that we collected for years. The quality in the obi vary tremendously and so does the price. Good obis usually cost more than kimono.